“Hate speech and sensational reporting threaten Ghana’s national cohesion” – Engineer Boakye Fapem warns

Ing Emmanuel Boakye Fapem, Kumasi-based civil engineer,

A Kumasi-based civil engineer, Ing Emmanuel Boakye Fapem, has warned that the increasing use of hate speech, tribal slurs, and sensational reporting within Ghana’s media landscape poses a serious threat to national cohesion and professional integrity.

Addressing students at the 2025 Students’ Representatives Council (SRC) seminar of the Otec School of Journalism and Communication Studies on Tuesday, October 7, in Kumasi, Mr. Fapem said Ghana’s media, once admired for its freedom and vibrancy is now at risk of losing its moral and ethical footing.

“We have allowed the airwaves and online platforms to become battlefields of insults, tribal slurs, and political name-calling,” he cautioned.

“As communicators, you have a sacred duty to use words as tools of peace, not weapons of destruction.”

Mr Fapem, who is the CEO of Fapam Company Limited, expressed concern that many journalists and media houses now prioritise attention-grabbing headlines and social media engagement over accuracy and national interest.

“Our media, once the pride of Africa for its freedom and vibrancy, is gradually being eroded by sensationalism,” he lamented.

“Too often, headlines scream louder than the truth they claim to tell. Let us remember that truth, not traffic, should be the goal of journalism,” he added.

Drawing an analogy between his work in construction and the principles of journalism, Mr. Fapem advised students to build their careers on ethical and moral foundations.

“Just as Fapem Constructions builds strong foundations to withstand storms, so must you build your professional foundation on honesty, decency, and service,” he told the aspiring journalists.

He also emphasised the importance of professionalism and personal branding, urging those who appear in the media to dress and conduct themselves with respect.

“Communication is not only about what you say, it is also about how you present yourself, dress decently, because every appearance communicates something about your values and discipline,” he said.

Mr. Fapem further warned against the growing culture of misinformation and fake news, describing it as one of the greatest threats to journalism today.

“Fake news has destroyed reputations, ruined families, and even caused violence. No amount of money is worth your integrity. Verify before you publish. And when you make a mistake, admit it, correct it, and learn from it,” he cautioned

Concluding his speech, Mr. Fapem challenged the students to become champions of ethical journalism and truth-driven storytelling.

“Your generation has tools our predecessors could only dream of AI, social media, mobile journalism, but with these tools comes great responsibility,” he advised.

“Let your work speak for truth, let your words heal, and let your legacy be integrity.”

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah